Anonymous caller foils burglary

July 9, 2013

MANISTIQUE - An anonymous caller was responsible for foiling a burglary attempt at a Manistique business, police said.

At 4:22 a.m., Monday, July 8, Manistique Public Safety Officers were dispatched to the Ace Hardware Store, 145 River St., Manistique, for the report of a suspicious situation. 911 Dispatch advised the officers an anonymous caller had reported they were driving by the business when they observed a ladder upright against the side of the building.

Upon investigation, officers searched the area and located two juvenile males hiding nearby. Officers continued to investigate and found the greenhouse outside of the main building had been broken into and that there was fresh damage to the main roof of Ace Hardware which exceeded $1,000. The two juveniles were taken into custody and the investigation continued into the morning hours, whereby an additional juvenile and one adult male were also placed under arrest.

The adult male is an 18 year old Manistique resident and he was charged with felony breaking and entering, felony malicious destruction of property over $1,000, and being a minor in possession of alcohol. The 18 year old remains lodged in the Schoolcraft County Jail at this time with a "no bond" restriction awaiting formal charges from the Schoolcraft County Prosecutor's Office.

The three male juveniles, ranging in ages of 14 to 16 years old, were charged with a variety of offenses including felony breaking and entering, felony malicious destruction of property, minor in possession of alcohol, minor in possession of tobacco, and (5) curfew violation. Two of the juveniles were transferred out of Manistique to secure juvenile detention facilities while the third was remanded to the custody of his parents.

"Manistique Public Safety would like to credit and extend their thanks to the anonymous caller who alerted the police to this suspicious situation and eventual arrests of four suspects, which may have prevented additional damage or burglaries to the downtown Manistique area. This is a great reminder for all citizens to remember that if they think something is suspicious that they should call 911 immediately and let the police investigate the situation," the department stated in a press release.